Butcher substituted my turkey

[LML1989AL]

Okay, so maybe I’m just wanting to rant.

I received a text (yes, a flippin’ text) from the butchers saying my Christmas turkey has been substituted for 12 turkey breast roulades and my collection time will be between 4pm - 5pm on Christmas Eve

I rang them, as firstly I’d booked the 9am collection (and paid £5 for the privilege) and most importantly I don’t want 12 turkey breast…. After much back and forth (and very little apology from them) I asked for a refund which they agreed to, however was told “this most likely won’t be processed until the New Year”

Please tell me what would you have done, DH thinks it’ll be in my bank my Monday, and I know I can go to a supermarket but I’m still really annoyed, I’ve been Googling ways to cook turkey roulades and when you read they’re often really dry… as was half tempted to just accept them

And you would look an idiot 🤣 people marching on down there doesn't make birds appear when they have none. And why on earth would they refund you if they could magic up a bird to give you? 🤦🏻‍♀️

I once turned up to collect my order of turkey, bacon and chipolatas from a (very nice but somewhat bougie) farm shop at the pre-arranged time of 4pm on Christmas Eve to be told they had given it away to someone else! They said to someone with the same surname but my surname is very unusual so I think not. The worst thing was they couldn't have cared less. No apology just a shrug of the shoulders. When I asked if they had anything at all left that I could have - a bit of bacon, a few sausages - they said, "Not at this time on Christmas Eve, love" as if I was the idiot 😂 Had to make a mad dash to M&S but managed to find a turkey which turned out to be absolutely delicious.

Agree with PPs that Aldi turkeys are good. We've had one for the last few years because the local butchers had got a bit too pricey, and they've always had plenty in stock and it has been just as tasty.

You don't need to be aggressive.

There's a whole lot you can convey with a "More In Sorrow than In Anger" stance. Play the "helpless female" card with lots of sorrowful downcast eyes (best done in front of a long queue of customers).
It will do this "underwhelming" supplier a power of no good. And then, yes, think about putting up a very clear and truthful review on social media.

I've just been very disappointed by delivery failure from The Fine Cheese Co. of Bath. If they don't mop up the big mess they've made with my (crucial) Christmas order, they can expect me to hit various SM platforms with detailed accounts of what's happened re: my nowshow HUGE Christmas order.

Good luck, OP.

One year we went to Kelly's to collect the turkey and they told me they'd run out of the size we picked. They gave me a bigger one instead which is a much better alternative.

I’d be furious, especially at this late date and would definitely demand a full, immediate, refund. You need the money to buy a replacement!

Your butcher s a supreme piss taker

Cancel the order and go somewhere else

I would go down there and say they need to process your refund immediately. If they refuse, you can tell your sorry tale to anyone who comes in the door.

It’s an absurd substitution- what were they thinking?

And to the person who said you should do the downcast poor me nonsense, I really don’t think the OP has to use feminine charms here. This is a broken contract. She shouldn’t need a knight in shining armour. What needs to happen is the butcher needs to give her a refund and be prepared to suffer reputational loss for a job badly done.

Had a similar thing happen to me one year with M&S; never ordered from the again!

I understand your annoyance but it’s likely not the butchers fault. Hundreds of thousands of preordered turkeys have had to be destroyed due to bird flu so suppliers just can’t get what they ordered.

Sainsbury’s has the power and buying ability to ship in masses of Turkeys from Ireland and EU to replace the thousands lost due to bird flu in the UK. Smaller companies cannot do this as the big boys have taken them all.

This is how to deal with an issue. We did an order with a local farm butcher and when we went to pick it up the goose we had ordered he had struggled to get enough of so regular customers especially with big orders got some very nice free range goose from a well known supplier at the butchers cost not the customer. A good supplier knows they are competing with the supermarkets so what they lose on price they need to make up on service to keep customers and local goodwill

Rumpoleoftheballet

Or Ch………k butcher in a farmshop

France - some the supermarkets near me are having problems with egg shortages because of bird flu

I’d go into the shop first thing Monday & insist on a refund there & then they were quick enough to take your money so they can damned well give it back just as quickly.

i always feel a bit nervous when I hear this sort of post because i always think is the butcher about to do a bunk with everyone’s money it’s been done so many times before

I've never had that problem with a Waitrose one.

Indeed. Even in Waitrose it's pay on collection.

Sounds quite lazy & disorganised, but you do say you were called. Just throwing it out there but is there competition between butchers at this time of year? Are you sure it was your butchers? Have you called your butchers back to check? Not that I'm paranoid around Christmas shenanigans 🤪

Yeah I’d go in too and cause a scene if need be! That is a disgrace!

you didn't order from Ed Grundy, did you?

😂

Well out of order. Out loads of negative stuff on all your local Facebook groups, twitter and other social media

Waitrose once let me down on a pre-ordered turkey via Ocado and I've never risked ordering from them again.

I wouldn't accept it, and I would tell them if the money is not in my bank account the first working day after the New Year I will go to trading standards and make a fuss-their choice.